Valves for internal combustion engines



July 16, 1957 G. l. KINMANK 2,799,266 'VALVES FOR INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES Filed Nov. 12, 1954 2 Sheets-Shegt 1 I/vve/vroR, 05020: I. K/N/vm/v July 16, 1957 G. l. KINMAN. 2,799,266

VALVES FOR INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES Filed Nov. 12, 1954 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 United States Patent 2,799,266 VALVES FOR INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES George I. Kinman, Toronto, Ontario, Canada Application November 12, 1954, Serial No. 468,478 Claims. (Cl. 123-188) through each cylinder head for the intake and exhaust valves serving the respective cylinders. In such cases, owing to the small bore of the conventional cylinder, the valve areas must of necessity be very small with the result that the intake is frequently not large enough to admit a charge sufficient to supply the power which the engine is capable of providing nor is the exhaust large enough to rid the cylinder quickly of the burnt gases.

The main object of the invention is to provide a valve assembly wherein the inlet and exhaust valves operate within a single opening which may equal in area a very considerable part of the diameter of the combustion chamber and so provide greatly increased inlet and exhaust facilities. 7

Another object of the invention is to provide for better fuel combustion and correspondingly higher compression by, the elimination of the conventional valves, so that more power can be obtained from a cylinder of given size and from a given quantity of fuel.

A further object of the invention is to insure a relatively cool exhaust valve at all times and so prevent pie-ignition or pinging. Y

Still another object of the invention is the provision of means for effectively sealing the fuel intake from the entry thereinto of exhaust gases. V

And generally the objects of the invention are to provide simple and efficient valve means which will insure maximum engine efficiency with a minimum of fuel and which will be of sturdy construction and inexpensive to produce.

With the above and other objects in view the invention consists in the novel features of construction, arrangements and combinationsof parts set out in the present specification and more particularly pointed out in the claims for novelty following.

In describing the invention reference the accompanying drawings, in which: t

Figure l is a central vertical section through a cylinder showing my improved valve assembly, the lower part of the cylinder and piston being broken away, the inlet valve being seated and the exhaust valve being closed.

Figure 2 is a view similar to Figure l but with the inlet valve open and the exhaust valve closed.

Figure 3 is a cross section through the valve chamber, taken on the line 3-3 of Figure l.

Figure 4 is an exploded view in perspective of the inlet and exhaust valves.

Figure 5 is a central vertical section through a cylinder and valve casing showing a modified form of valve assembly, the inlet being closed and the exhaust open.

&Figure 6 is a view similar to Figure 5 but with the inlet open and the exhaust closed. v

Fignre'7 is a cross section through the valve chamber, taken on the line 7-7 of Figure 5.

will be made to hot spot so common with Figure 8 is a diagrammatic view in perspective of the valve elements shown in Figures 5 to 7.

Like numerals of reference indicate corresponding parts in the various figures.

Referring to the drawings and particularly first to Figures 1 to 4 inclusive, 1 denotes an engine block which may be bored to provide the required number of cylinders, a cylinder being indicated by the numeral 2 with a piston 3 in position therein. The block is surrounded by the usual chamber 4 through which the coolant is circulated and the cylinder is provided with a head 5. Positioned above each cylinder and concentric thereto is avalve chamber 6 which is of reduced transverse area in respect to the bore of the cylinder and which is provided with a head 7.

'8 denotes the intake manifold which supplies fuel to the various vcylinders and which has connection with fuel inlet passages 9 which extend through the walls of the respective chambers 6 and communicate with the interiors of the valve chambers, respectively.

10 denotes the exhaust manifold which is adapted to carry away the products of combustion which are emitted from the cylinders through the medium of outlet passages 11 leading from the interiors of the valve chambers 6 in oppositely disposed relation to the associated inlets 9.

The cylinder head 5 is provided above each cylinder and preferably concentric thereto with an opening 12 of a diameter equaling the inside diameter of the valve chamber thereabove and the lower annular surface of the head around each said opening 12 is bevelled to provide a valve seat 13 surrounding each said opening. These openings 12 are common to both the fuel inlets 9 and the exhaust outlets 11 of the cylinders and therefore provide the means for admitting fuel to the combustion chamber and for allowing'the products of combustion to escape.

Each cylinder has associated with it an inlet valve and an exhaust valve designated generally by the numerals 14 and 15, respectively, which co-act with the seat 13 and the inlet 9 and the outlet 11 and control the inlet of fuel and the outlet of burnt gases, respectively, and further cooperate with each other to prevent intermingling of fuel and burnt gases.

The valves 14 and 15 comprise body portions 14a and 15a, respectively, of generally semi-circular cross section and in length being shorter than the interior length of the valve chamber 6 in which they operate and are arranged with their straight sides 17 in mating contact with each other within the chamber and their rounded exteriors slidably fitting the circular inner wall of the said chamber. Each valve has a semi-circular disc-like base 16 adapted to lie within the associated cylinder 2 and having its rounded part extended laterally and bevelled, as at 18, to conform to the incline of the seat-3 so that when the two valves 14 and 15 are moved upwardly the disc-like parts 16 will seat on the seat 13 and completely close the opening 12.

The inlet valve'14 has a relatively large opening 19 through its rounded body part adapted to register at all times with the fuel inlet 9, regardless of the position of the valve so as to always insure a supply of fuel.

The inlet valve 14 has a semi-circular top 20 into which is fitted the lower end of a stem 21 which extends upwardly loosely through the head 7 of the valve chamber and through a suitable spring guide 22 and carries at its top end a head or washer 23. This member 23 with the head 7 serves to hold in compression a coil spring 24 which exerts a continual upward influence on the valve 14 to urge said valve to a seated position on the seat 13.

The exhaust valve 15 is of considerably shorter length than the inlet valve 14 so as to allow the inlet valve to move away from the seat 13 without effecting the exhaust valve and the said exhaust valve is provided with a top 25 which has a reduced, semi-circular, lateral extension 26 which is adapted to extend into the body of the inlet valve 14 for the purpose of completely closing the top of the valve assembly against the escape of gas. The valve 15 is carried on the lower end of a stem 27 which extends upwardly loosely through the head 7 and through a spring guide 28 and carries at its top end a head or Washer 29, which latter in cooperation with the head 7 serves to confine under compression a coil spring 30 which exerts continual upward influence on the valve to urge the disc-like part 16 to a closing position on the seat 13. I

The body part 15a of the exhaust valve 15 is formed to provide an inwardly and downwardly inclined fiat wall 31 which extends from a point not far removed from the top 25 medially of the vertical edges 17 of said body part to points just short of said vertical edges and somewhat above the base 16, from which latter point a shallow vertical wall 32 connects with the lower end of said inclined wall and extends downwardly to the base 16 with its inner face extending across the body flush With the vertical inner edge of the body 15a.

Reference to Figure 2 of the drawings will clearly show that the shallow vertical wall 32 of the exhaust valve is positioned in substantial opposition to the fuel inlet 9 and that gas entering the chamber 6 through said inlet will be deflected downwardly into the cylinder when the semicircular part 16 of the valve 14 is out of contact with the seat 13.

The recessed part of the exhaust valve 15 provided by the inclined wall 31 and the vertical wall 32 and enclosed by said walls and the interior surface of the valve chambe'r constitutes a chamber 33 of very considerable dimensions adapted to instantly receive the burnt gases from the combustion chamber upon the opening of the valve 15 and upon the closing of the said valve again adapted to hold said burnt gases While they are being released through the exhaust passage 11 to the manifold 10. It will thus be apparent that the combustion chamber will be more quickly scavenged than if the said gases were to be released directly to the small exhaust outlet.

In the operation of an internal combustion engine embodying my improved valve assembly the fuel is injected through the inlet 9 to the valve chamber 6 from which it flows downwardly into the cylinder under assistance from the straight wall part 32 of the exhaust valve, when the base 16 of the valve is out of contact with the seat 13, where it is compressed in the usual manner and ignited by the spark from the spark plug, which latter is indicated by the reference numeral 34, whereby to cause the operation of the piston 3. Subsequent to the explosion of the gas within the cylinder the exhaust valve 15, being appropriately timed through the medium of the electrical system, moves downwardly away from the seat 13' and allows the products of combustion to rise instantly into the exhaust chamber 33 where they are trapped and delivered to the manifold lltl through the medium of the outlet passage 11.

It will be seen that the walls of the exhaust valve 15 cooperate with the walls of the inlet valve 14 to prevent the escape of fuel from the inlet valve body. The fuel must pass downwardly when the part 16 of the valve 14 is free of contact with the seat 13 and, further, in the exhaust position of the valve 15, when the said valve is seated, the inlet valve body is sealed against the inlet of matter to be exhausted.

By the presently described valve arrangement wherein both inlet and exhaust valves operate in a single opening and cooperate with the same seat larger inlet and exhaust areas are possible than where separate openings for each valve is required. Furthermore, the cylinder head is not weakened to the same extent that it would be where two openings for each cylinder are required.

In Figures 5 to 8 inclusive, a modified form of valve assembly is shown wherein thefuel is injected into the cylinder and the burnt matter is ejected from the cylinder through the same opening through the cylinder head but, in this case a single valve 35 of circular disc type operates within the cylinder 2 concentrically thereof and cooperates with the seat 13 surrounding the opening 12. The valve 35 is carried by a stem 36 which projects through the head of the valve chamber 37 and is spring urged upwardly by a spring 38 to influence the valve to a seated position. In this case the valve 35 opens for both the injection of fuel to the cylinder and for the exhausting of burnt matter to the outlet 11. The inlet and exhaust passages 9 and ll are alternately opened and closed by the electrically controlled and timed valve members 39 and 40, respectively.

The valve members 39 and 40 are identical in shape and comprise horizontally curved, semi-circular metal bands of a depth to cover the passages 9 and 11, respectively.

The valves 39 and 40 slide within the chamber in contact with the interior surfaces of said chamber and are oppositely disposed in respect to each other and they are carried on the lower ends of stems 41 and 42, respectively, which latter extend loosely through the head of the chamber 37 and are spring urged by springs 43 and 44 to positions in said chamber above the passages 9 and 11 which, in certain circumstances they are adapted to close.

In the operation of this last described valve assembly, the valves 35, 39 and 40 are so timed (according to well known practice and not described herein) that when the fuel is being fed to the combustion chamber the valve 35 is in its open position away from the seat 13, and the valve 39 is positioned above the inlet passage 9 and the valve 40 is in position across the mouth of the exhaust outlet 11. As the explosion takes place in the combustion chamber the valve 35 is closed and the valve 39 moves downwardly to close the inlet passage 9 and as the valve 35 returns to the open position the valve 40 moves to its open position above the exhaust passage 11 and allows the products of combustion to pass around the valve 35 and flow outwardly through the said exhaust passage 11 and into the exhaust manifold. This cycle of operations continues throughout the time the engine is in operation with the valves cooperating to prevent the intermingling of fuel and burnt gases.

While I have herein shown and described a presently preferred arrangement and a modification thereof, it will be readily understood that changes and modifications therein may be found desirable or essential in meeting the various exigencies of use, and I desire to be understood as reserving the right to make any and all such changes or modifications as may be found desirable or essential in so far as the same may fall within the spirit and scope of the invention as expressed in the accompanying. claims when broadly construed.

What I claim as my invention is;

1. In a valve assembly for internal combustion engines, in combination, an engine block having a cylinder and a head closing one end of said cylinder, said head having an opening therethrough for the passage of fuel to said cylinder and the escape of the products of combustion from said cylinder, a valve seat formed in the wall of said opening within said cylinder, a valve camber positioned over said cylinder and concentric with said opening, a fuel inlet through the wall of said valve chamber for the delivery of fuel to the interior of said valve chamber, an exhaust outlet leading from the interior of said valve chamber, said inlet and outlet being in substantial diametrically opposed relation to each other, and independently movable inlet and exhaust valves slidable within said valve chamber in back-to-back relation to each other, said valves having base parts located Within said cylinder adapted to occupy separate parts of said valve seat and when both said valves are seated on said seat cooperating to completely close said opening, said inlet valve having a fuel passage therethrough registering with said fuel inlet to said chamber and supplying fuel to said cylinder when said base part of said inlet valve is unseated with respect to said seat, said exhaust valve having a chamber above its said base part to receive prodnets of combustion from said cylinder, said chamber being in register with said exhaust outlet, means for preventing the intermingling of unburnt fuel with products of combustion within said valve chamber, and spring means urging said inlet and exhaust valves to their positions on said seat.

2. In a valve assembly for internal combustion engines, in combination, a block having a cylinder and a head closing one end of said cylinder, said head having a single opening therethrough for the passage of fuel to said cylinder and the exhausting of the products of combustion from said cylinder, a valve seat formed around said opening within said cylinder, a valve chamber positioned over said cylinder and concentric with said opening, said valve chamber having an inlet for fuel through its side wall, said valve chamber also having an exhaust passage through its wall in substantially diametric relation to said inlet, independently movable inlet and exhaust valves operating in said opening in cooperation with said seat to control the supply of fuel to said cylinder and the exhaust of products of combustion from said cylinder, respectively, said inlet and outlet Valves having straight backs in sliding contact with each other diametrically of said valve chamber and also having semi-circular parts slidably fitting the interior surface of said valve chamber, said inlet and exhaust valves extending into said cylinder and having semi-circular base parts adapted to seat on said valve seat, and spring means urging said valves to their positions on said seat.

3. In a valve assembly for internal combustion engines, an engine block having a cylinder therein and a head closing the top end of said cylinder, said head having an opening therethrough for the passage of fuel to said cylinder and the exhaust of the products of combustion from said cylinder, a valve seat formed around said opening within said cylinder, a valve chamber positioned over said cylinder concentric with said opening and communicating at its lower end with said opening, said valve chamber having an inlet for fuel through its side wall, said valve chamber also having an exhaust passage through its wall in substantially diametrically opposed relation to said inlet, independently movable inlet and exhaust valves operating in said opening in cooperation with said seat to control the supply of fuel to said cylinder and the exhaust of products of com bustion from said cylinder, respectively, said inlet and exhaust valves having straight backs in sliding contact with each other diametrically of said valve chamber and also having semi-circular parts slidably fitting the interior surface of said valve chamber, said inlet and exhaust valves extending into said cylinder and having semicircular base parts adapted to seat on said valve seat, said inlet valve being open along its back and having an opening through its said semi-circular part in continuous register with said inlet for fuel, said exhaust valve having a chamber for products of combustion in continuous register with said exhaust passage through the wall of said valve chamber, the wall of said chamber in said exhaust valve constituting a closure for the back of said inlet valve, and spring means urging said valves to closing positions in respect to said seat.

4. In a valve assembly for internal combustion engines, in combination, a block having a cylinder and a head closing one end of said cylinder, said head having an opening therethrough for the passage of fuel to said cylinder and the exhausting of the products of combustion from said cylinder, a valve seat formed around said opening within said cylinder, a valve chamber positioned over said cylinder and concentric with said opening, said valve chamber having an inlet for fuel through its side wall, said valve chamber also having an exhaust passage through its wall in substantially diametrically opposed relation to said inlet, independently movable inlet and exhaust valves of generally semi-circular end elevation slidable in said valve chamber in back-to-back relation to one another, said valves having semi-circular base parts located within said cylinder adapted to occupy separate parts of said valve seat and when both said base parts are seated on said seat cooperating to completely close said opening, said valves having transverse closures at their top ends, one of said valves being shorter than the other valve and having a semi-circular extension from its closure slidably fitting said other valve, said inlet valve having a fuel passage therethrough registering with said fuel inlet to said valve chamber for supplying fuel to said cylinder when said base part of said inlet valve is out of contact with said seat, said exhaust valve having a chamber above its said base part receiving products of combustion from said cylinder and delivering same to said exhaust outlet, stems secured to said valves and extending upwardly through the top of said valve chamber, and spring means exerting upward influence on said valves to influence said base parts of said valves into contact with said seat.

5. In a valve assembly for internal combustion engines, in combination, a block having a cylinder and a head closing one end of said cylinder, said head having an opening therethrough for the passage of fuel to said cylinder and the exhausting of products of combustion from said cylinder, a valve seat formed around said opening within said cylinder, a valve chamber positioned over said cylinder concentric with said opening, said valve chamber having an inlet for fuel through its side wall, said valve chamber also having an exhaust passage through its wall in substantially diametrically opposed relation to said fuel inlet, an inlet valve comprising a sheet metal body of generally semi-circular cross section closed at its top, said inlet valve being slidable in said valve chamber with its curved surface slidably fitting the inner surface of said valve chamber and movable vertically of said inlet for fuel, said body extending downwardly into said cylinder and having a base of semicircular shape extended laterally of the curved part of said body adapted to seat on said seat to close one-half of said opening in the cylinder head, said body being provided with an opening therethrough of greater dimensions than, and registering with, said inlet for fuel to said valve chamber, an exhaust valve comprising a sheet metal body of generally semi-circular cross section closed at its top end, said body of said exhaust valve being slidable in said valve chamber in backto-back relation to said inlet valve with its curved surface slidably fitting that portion of said valve chamber in which said exhaust passage is located, said body of said exhaust valve extending downwardly into the cylinder and having a base of semi-circular form extending laterally of said curved part thereof and adapted to seat on said valve seat and with said base of said inlet valve providing a closure for said opening, said exhaust valve body having a lateral extension entering the body of said inlet valve centrally of said valve chamber and slidable therein, said exhaust valve being formed to provide a chamber in permanent register with said exhaust passage for receiving products of combustion for delivery to said exhaust passage, and spring means urging said inlet and exhaust valves upwards within said valve chamber.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

